Permanent Mission of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to the UN, United States

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Speech by Minister Jet Bussemaker during the ‘Legal reforms and best practices’

‘Legal reforms and best practices’

Statement by H.E. Jet Bussemaker

Minister of Education, Culture and Science of the
Netherlands

during the "Legal reforms and best practices"

Turkey Side event

New York, 4 March 2013

Ladies and gentlemen,

Thank you very much for inviting me here to speak today.

I think it is very special that our countries, that have already shared such
a rich history for four hundred years, are also collaborating on an important
issue for the future: combating violence against women.

In recent years Turkey and the Netherlands have become international allies
in encouraging and promoting gender equality. And in the years to come, we in
the Netherlands wish to continue to work together to address and prevent
domestic violence and violence against women.

During an Expert Meeting last month, our countries explored various avenues
of cooperation with regard to domestic violence and women’s shelters. And we
will be developing informational materials for Turkish women in the Netherlands,
so they know their rights when it comes to marriage migration, domestic violence
and divorce.

Today, too, we will be exchanging best practices, and exploring further
cooperation. This kind of cooperation is sorely needed, unfortunately.

Forty-two percent (42%) of Turkish women and about as many Dutch women come
face to face with domestic violence at some point in their lives.

Turkey has taken on an active role in combating violence against women. It
was the first country to ratify the CAHVIO convention, now rightly and
deservedly known as the ‘Istanbul Convention’. Last year’s enactment of the Law
to protect the family and prevent violence against women is yet another clear
signal that Turkey is serious about tackling domestic violence.

As the Dutch Minister for Emancipation, I feel that women must be able to
count on the authorities in cases of violence - whether it happens at home, at
work or on the street. Turkey should be proud of what has been achieved so far.

At the same time, we must also recognize that violence against women is not
something that government can completely resolve or combat with rules,
legislation and programmes. Society, both men and women, must also be willing to
look at the underlying causes of violence, at the systems that facilitate
violence and at the factors that contribute to vulnerability among women.

Violence against women does not simply happen of its own accord. It may occur
wherever economic, political and social inequalities between women and men
prevail. Along with this inequality, violence is often also passed on from
generation to generation. From father to son. And from mother to daughter.

If we wish to put an end to violence against women, then we will have to
intervene in this vile system. This is why I would like to touch on two related
topics today:

• First, the Oranje Huis, a refuge shelter that takes a new approach to
helping women who are confronted with domestic violence.

• Second, the integrated approach we take to tackling domestic violence in
the Netherlands, in which the treatment of perpetrators features prominently.

I visited an Oranje Huis facility in January. While there, I saw for myself
just how hurt and afraid the women and children are who have been abused and
threatened at home. But I also saw just how much strength and confidence this
safe refuge gave them.

What makes this shelter so special is that its location is not secret.
Security is ensured because visitors may only enter through a secured door,
where they are identified and checked. But once beyond the security measures,
the atmosphere is open and welcoming. Family and friends can come to visit the
women in the shelter. For them, this often means the end of years of isolation.
And hopefully the beginning of a life without violence.

The openness of the Oranje Huis facility serves as a counterbalance and an
antidote to the shame and taboo that often accompanies domestic violence. Women
seeking shelter here do not have to hide.

They learn to discover and appreciate their own strengths and capabilities,
and they learn how to ask for help when they need it. Coming from this safe
environment, they can once again resume their lives and also get help for their
children. If they wish, they can also get their partners involved.

The shelter and care that women receive in the Oranje Huis remind me of a
quote that is attributed to Eleanor Roosevelt: “It is better to light a candle,
than to curse the darkness.”

It is better focus squarely on the true nature of domestic violence, than to
conceal or ignore it. That goes for the victims, but it applies equally well to
the perpetrators of violence against women.

This brings me to my second point: our integrated approach to domestic
violence, which is system-oriented. This means that attention is focused not
only on the victims, but also on the perpetrators of violence.

In the past, the standard operating procedure in cases of domestic violence
was that the woman would flee the home. Sometimes there is no alternative, and
shelters such as the Oranje Huis are available for this purpose. In the
integrated approach, the aim is for the woman to stay at home, while her partner
goes elsewhere.

Often, escaping the spiral of violence means that women must be empowered and
must change their behavior. But if we ignore the perpetrators’ role in this
process, or simply resort to punishing them, then nothing really changes. The
integrated approach is therefore aimed at helping perpetrators of violence learn
how to change their behavior.

If necessary, a restraining order will be issued against the perpetrator of
domestic violence. He may then not come home for ten days and is also prohibited
from seeking contact with the victim. This gives social services time to start
working in the interest of both victim and perpetrator. Due consideration is
also given to any children involved, and we also see whether there are any other
problems besides violence, for example with finances or work.

Subsequently, the treatment offered to perpetrators is aimed at helping them
become aware of their behavior and understanding why they resort to violence.
Specially trained social workers teach them techniques for solving a conflict or
argument without the need for physical violence.

When addressing the problem of domestic violence, we therefore focus on both
victim and perpetrator, on the problem and the solution. It’s not one or the
other, but a combination of the two. With the aim of helping people to resume
their lives self-sufficiently, either on their own or with their partner, but in
any case without violence.

Ladies and gentlemen,

I hope that our countries continue to work together in the coming years to
stop violence against women. Last February’s Expert Meeting made clear that
cooperation and sharing best practices are highly worthwhile. I hope that this
meeting will prove to be just as valuable.